Help with holiday wishes

CLEARWATER — The Salvation Army's Joy Center Toyland distribution began with about 15,000 toys being distributed Thursday and today to needy residents of north Pinellas County.

The toys were distributed in a storelike atmosphere, giving parents who have registered their children in advance the opportunity to "shop" for toys for their children for Christmas.

Each family also received a Christmas ham and food basket, all at no cost.

The Salvation Army will provide about 5,000 children in north Pinellas County with toys this Christmas, many who would otherwise go without. All toys are new and are provided by the Salvation Army as well as through local toy drives.

There is a reason why the air in Tampa Bay is filled with playoff talk. If Thursday night's 12-8 Bucs preseason win over the Jaguars is any indication, it's also going to be filled with footballs thrown by quarterback Jameis Winston.